Israel Folau’s four-year $4 million contract was torn up.Source:Getty Images
18 May 2019
Sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau has made his first response after his termination was made official by Rugby Australia on Friday afternoon.
After Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle notified the media that Folau’s four-year, $4 million deal would be torn up, Folau took to the very medium that landed him in hot water in the first place: his Instagram account.
Folau posted a passage from the Bible, the Matthew 6:33 verse which reads, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The exiled Wallabies star also released a statement in which he admitted that he was saddened by the decision.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to represent Australia and my home state of NSW, playing the game I love,” he said.
“I am deeply saddened by today’s decision to terminate my employment and I am considering my options.”
Folau believes he should be allowed to play on after taking to Instagram last month to proclaim “hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.
“As Australians, we are born with certain rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom of expression,” he said on Friday.
“The Christian faith has always been a part of my life an I believe it is my duty as a Christian to share God’s word.
“Upholding my religious beliefs should not prevent my ability to work or play for my club and country.
“I would like to thank my wife Maria for her love and encouragement to true to our beliefs.
“We have been humbled by the support we have received from family, friends, players, fans and the wider community.
“Thank you also to those who have spoken out in my defence, some of whom do not share my beliefs but have defended my right to express them.”
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Castle admitted that the outcome was a “painful” situation for the game.
“Rugby Australia did not choose to be in this situation, but Rugby Australia’s position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue this course of action,” she said.
“This has been an extremely challenging period for Rugby and this issue has created an unwanted distraction in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies team.
“But our clear message to all Rugby fans today is that we need to stand by our values and the qualities of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork.
Raelene Castle said an appear or court proceedings wouldn’t crush Rugby in Australia.Source:Supplied
While Folau may yet appeal his contract termination or choose to take the fight straight to the Supreme Court in a bid to rescue a chunk of the $[Aus]4 million he has now lost, Castle said a reported $1 million peace offering was never seriously on the table.
“I think in any of these situations the lawyers have sensible and pragmatic conversations to see if they can find a way whereby we don’t end up in this situation; or we find a way as you would with any high-profile contract of any high-profile employee that was in this situation, the lawyers would have a sensible and pragmatic conversation,” she said.
“Israel is a great Rugby player and we are disappointed and saddened by the fact that he will not see out his four-year commitment to the Wallabies and Waratahs.”
Rugby Australia arrived at its decision on Friday after the 30-year-old reportedly turned down an offer to compromise which would have seen him charged with a lower level breach if he deleted his original Instagram post.
The ongoing saga is likely to have severe financial ramifications for the already cash-strapped RA, while the Wallabies need to find a way to put the drama behind them, with the World Cup just four months away.
The 30-year-old, who has played 62 Tests for the Wallabies, reportedly remains firm in his belief that he’s being religiously persecuted, hence his expected move to launch court action.
Israel Folau is looking at hitting back at Rugby Australia’s termination but the tax man is set to provide an obstacle for the 30-year-old’s legal hopes.
The Australian Taxation Office will monitor donations given to Israel Folau’s church in a bid to ensure the money isn’t used to fund his expected legal challenge against Rugby Australia’s termination of his $4 million contract.
Folau’s backers were looking to financially assist the fallen Wallabies star if he took Rugby Australia to the Supreme or Federal Court in a bid to overturn his axing.
But the ATO has told revealed to The Sunday Telegraph they will be monitoring donations to the former star with reports it could be funnelled through his church The Truth Of Jesus Christ Church, in Kenthurst, in order to get a tax deduction.
Reports suggest Folau’s legal costs could be upwards of $1 million.
With Rugby Australia in a precarious financial position, reports over the past few weeks have seen the sport facing a $12 million hit pushing the code to the brink of collapse in Australia.
RA would face “financial ruin” if it is forced to face a projected $8 million loss and pay out the full $4 million owed to Folau in his long-term contract should the former Wallaby be successful in court.
According to reports, the legal fees and costs associated with fighting Folau in a conduct hearing and expected follow-up legal challenges through the courts will also cost RA at least $100,000.
A full $12 million hit would leave RA “on the precipice of insolvency,” according to The Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram.
Folau hit back after his $4 million four-year contract was torn up last night, setting in motion the inevitable challenge to the termination.
Originally published as Folau appeal takes first major hit
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We stand with the country Israel and we stand with Israel Folau. The sjw left hate the Jewish people and believe the land of Israel belongs only to the Palestinians, simply because they are muslim. They also hate christians who stand on the Word of God, and who wont bow down and fawn over their causes, but are still willing to speak Gods Truth. Yes Gods truth is offensive to the sinner, for one reason only. It shows he himself wont bow down to the unrepentant sinner, and that one day everybody will give an account to him of their life and their sins. He is the true law giver & righteous judge over all, no matter what laws have been changed in the world over the yrs, to suit mankind’s love for sin. Funny how the left love and fawn over the muslims when the koran also considers homosexuality a sin. But this isn’t about silencing muslims regarding this matter, this is about silencing christians and the True Word of God from being spoken.
One day all the LGBT bunch and their loyal band of followers will stand before God, and they will have wished they listened to the likes of Folau, and other christians willing to speak the Truth whilst alive on Earth. Do still wonder if Israel Folau had been a muslim who wrote the koran’s message about homosexuality, would he of faced the same trial by media and the lefties first, and then been sacked. The nasty name calling by lefties, the hate speech from them directed at Folau over the last couple of yrs, shows that the only ones in this world who are deemed guilty of hate speech are christians, and non christians on the right. Tolerance,inclusion and acceptance seems to only go one way, the lefts way.
If you don’t abide by their belief system, and are unwilling to bow down to them, they will hang you out to dry, and make a public spectacle of you.
Welcome to the NWO of total control; by the left, or their fervent desire for it.
Just another way to show they are truly satan’s spawn, after all that is what he wants, and will get for a season when the antichrist comes to town. So cant wait for Yeshua’s return, because the look on the many faces of those who denied he even exists, or that he is the one and only True God, or that his laws were right and just, will be priceless. Every sjw leftie will finally have their mouths and opinions shut up, and there will be no more them shoving them down every ones throat on on daily basis like we are all subjected to now.